Chris Hoy believes it is sink or swim time for Evan Oliphant – and the Scottish Olympic hero is backing the Wick cycling star to swim.

The 26-year-old endured a rollercoaster 2008 combining a turbulent time at the Tour of Britain with success at the British Cycling Premier Calendar Series.

Oliphant suffered four punctures in eight days on the 1151km Tour of Britain but has regained a contract with his Plowman Craven outfit after finishing third at the final British Grand Prix in Yorkshire.

And Hoy – who became the first Brit to claim three golds at an Olympic Games for a century in Beijing – insists 2009 could prove decisive for Oliphant.

“Scotland is very fortunate at the moment to have a very talented handful of Scottish cycling stars who are competing at the highest level,” said Hoy.

“Evan has been making great strides in road cycling and has the potential to be one of the best. “He had some awful luck at this year’s Tour of Britain but I would back him to bounce back.

 “There is plenty happening on the track with the Commonwealth Games in two years time and on the road and if all goes to plan Scotland will have a fantastic chance to do well.
“There should be a whole generation of a younger breed of cyclists in this country dominating rather than the same people all the time.

“But there needs to be investment if Evan is to really kick on. Other countries have let it slip but it is important Scotland doesn’t fall into the same trap and they continue the amazing job they have been doing.”